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TOP CONSTRUCTION There are a couple of options for squaring the ends of the glued-up panel. The first method involves clamping a straightedge across the end of the panel to act as a fence. One commercial straightedge, available from many woodworking catalogs, has integral clamps; but a stout, straight piece of wood clamped to the workpiece will work just as well. Make sure the fence is square to the long edges by checking with a large square (I). Use a circular saw to crosscut the edge square, making sure to account for the width of the saw’s baseplate when you position the fence (J). To clean up the saw marks, reposition the fence and use a router and a straight bit to rout about 1 /16 in. off the sawn edge. Equipping your router with an oversize baseplate helps stabilize the router and keeps the bit square to the work (K). Another alternative for squaring up the ends of a large panel is to use a sliding table on the table saw. There are many great aftermarket sliders available for relatively low cost, and they work with most types of saws (L). Finish up by lightly sanding the top, leveling the edge joints, and smoothing the entire surface. Thanks to your previous efforts with the handplane, there won’t be much sanding work at all. [TIP] Machine fences and tables need to be dead square to register the work accurately. Instead of relying on machine stops and screws, it’s more accurate to measure the tool at the source. A small 6-in. machinist’s square is usually sufficient for the task. Hold the square tight to one surface and look for daylight between the square and the adjacent surface. When you can’t see light, the two surfaces are square to each other. K L I J Making Tops 277